City Breaks: Navigating the New Normal

City breaks might be one of the most popular ways to travel, but the has dealt them a pretty severe blow. The damage is serious, although not necessarily fatal.

The reasons behind this shift are evident: too many people and too little space. The world’s most visited cities—, Paris, , Singapore, and —welcome millions of visitors every year. When you add these tourists to the local populations, the density becomes overwhelming.

The challenge is especially pronounced in smaller cities that are major tourist destinations. For example, Venice’s historic center has a population of only 55,000 but hosts over 26 million visitors annually. To put this in perspective, it’s akin to New York City receiving 4 billion tourists a year—far exceeding the typical 65 million it welcomes.

In today’s environment, social distancing and heightened vigilance have become essential components of our daily activities. Unfortunately, city breaks are not designed to maintain personal space effectively.

Think about the activities we typically engage in after navigating through busy airports. Where do we want to go first? Perhaps a couple of beers at a local bar, a stroll through the historic streets, or enjoying a much-anticipated museum exhibition? Maybe you’re drawn to a city during its festival season, or all of the above. With adequate planning, it is possible to fit a lot into a short visit.

This blend of excitement and spontaneity makes city life so enticing—the chance to immerse yourself in vibrant atmospheres and explore countless attractions. However, such encounters today require maintaining a safe distance of 6 feet (2 meters) and wearing face coverings.

Years ago, at an iBestTravel author conference, my colleagues shared their favorite travel destinations. While many preferred hidden wilderness, I gravitated towards urban environments.

My beloved cities are bustling, vibrant places—think , Bangkok, , New York, and . While some might consider LA a collection of suburbs, I see a tapestry filled with unique neighborhoods connected by a network of highways. I find myself wandering through urban spaces, and before I know it, I’ve walked 20 miles, oblivious to any discomfort in my feet.

One of my favorite places to explore is Bangkok. A simple turn off a soi leads me into a vibrant side street filled with life: a local market, bustling workshops, and a tiny outdoor eatery where I enjoy pad thai while listening to cheerful Thai pop music.

These delightful yet ordinary experiences constitute my cherished travel memories, which feel distant now that such gathering spots can pose risks to public health.

The pandemic has fundamentally changed how we interact with cities—our own and those we visit. A half-full venue now feels close to full with social distancing measures in place, timed entries to attractions are becoming a standard, and live events have seen significant interruptions.

Wherever you choose to go, an underlying anxiety remains: Am I too close to others? How long must I wear this mask? Although we are quickly adapting to new indoor protocols—waiting in line, properly wearing masks, utilizing hand sanitizers, adhering to one-way systems—the experience is far from enjoyable, especially with mandatory temperature checks.

After extensive lockdown periods, there is a pervasive sense of apprehension regarding a premature reopening. Touristic cities are desperate for visitors but are also acutely aware of the need for caution. The sudden influx of party-seeking tourists could elicit responses ranging from skepticism to outright hostility. This creates an atmosphere that can hinder any sense of enjoyment.

And isn’t having fun the main objective of embarking on a city break?

I am confident that I will eventually return to my urban explorations, eager to scout out new cities. For now, however, I find solace in exploring national parks, where the vast open spaces grant relief from mask mandates.